The Pax Romana: Broken Eagle

A Little Background

So, before you get into this story, though I assume you may have a little Roman knowledge, I know for a fact that someone very special to be will be reading this story, and I know that despite how much she willingly endures my passionate ramblings about history, coincidentally, mostly the Romans, I also know that she may be left a little bit confused or, hopefully, curious.

Of course, you, reader, are welcome to skip this. You may have this knowledge. You may want a refresh. Or you may enjoy a little taste of history to help bring some sense to the story you're about to read. Regardless, if that special someone is reading this, I hope this little bit of background info helps! :)

Now, without further ado... Let's dive into a pivotal time in history, as my story is set during the Late Roman Republic. This was a period when Rome, one of the greatest civilizations in history, was on the verge of, well, let's just say some very big changes!

The book introduces you to a time when Rome's significant figures, like Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, and Crassus, generations before the story takes place, tried to control a vast republic but ended up causing more problems, not that the Roman Republic wasn't already crumbling as it was, but that's a intricate complexity I'd very much rather not yet into. See, this isn't just a story about battles and politics. It's also about the people who lived through these changes. You will have, I imagine, read the blurb (and if you haven't, you do you!) and seen that this particular story follows a Roman named Faustus who finds himself on what you could call "the wrong side of history" but it is more so that he was on the losing side.

Firstly, where better to start than with a man known as Julius Caesar, who is at the center of the story's reason for being, in a way. His desire for power and his actions had a huge impact on Rome, leading to the end of the Republic and the beginning of an empire.

If you're not familiar with Ancient Rome, don't worry. I've tried to ensure my book is designed to be an easy introduction. It tells a story about power, ambition, and the human side of history. We'll see how the decisions of a few influential people changed Rome forever through the eyes of the unknown many.

Now, let's zoom in on Julius Caesar, a name that in the present day and through history is known as both a brilliant leader and a controversial figure. Caesar played a crucial role in the transformation of the Roman Republic. His ambition and military genius brought him incredible power, but also sparked a series of events that would lead to the end of the Republic.

Caesar's story is fascinating because of how he balanced on the edge of greatness and tyranny, and to me, personally, it's fascinating. He expanded Rome's territories and made reforms that benefited the people. However, his desire to control Rome led to a civil war. When he declared himself dictator for life, it marked a turning point, showing that one man could hold power over the Roman state because whilst the senators and politicians and higher-claaa officials weren't pleased at all about him, the people absolutely loved him and his legions of veteran soldiers did too.

Then, those very same people who sought to save the Republic from the dictator plotted against him. They succeeded, well, in the short-term.

After Caesar's assassination, Rome was thrown into chaos again.

And this is where Mark Antony and Octavian (who would later be known as Augustus) come into the picture. They were both close to Caesar—Mark Antony as one of his closest allies and Octavian as his adopted son and heir. They initially worked together to punish Caesar's murderers, but their partnership didn't last. Their struggle for power led to another civil war.

Caesar's actions and the power vacuum his death created set the stage for this dramatic shift. Through Octavian, Caesar's legacy shaped the future of Rome, moving it from the era of the Republic, where many had a say in the government, to the Empire, ruled by one.

So, who is Octavian, this figure who emerges from the shadow of Julius Caesar to forge his own legacy? History remembers Octavian, later known as Augustus, as the man who transformed Rome from a republic, where power was divided among many, to an empire under the rule of one.

After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, Octavian steps into a Rome filled with turmoil and division. As Caesar's adopted son, he inherits a daunting task: to claim his position in a fractured political landscape.

Thirteen years later, in 31 BC, the main story unfolds during the Battle of Actium. This wasn't just any battle; it was the climax of the struggle for power between Octavian and Mark Antony. The outcome of this battle didn't just decide their fates; it determined the future of Rome itself.

Octavian's impact on Rome was profound. He brought stability after years of conflict, reformed the government, and laid the groundwork for a period of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana. As Augustus, his new name, he was Rome's first emperor, setting the standard for those who would follow.

In my novel, set during this era, I want to explore not just the political machinations and military campaigns that defined the period, but also the human stories. I want to delve into the lives of those who lived through the end of the Republic and the birth of the Empire, witnessing firsthand the dramatic transformation of Rome.

Through this lens, I want to see Octavian not just as a historical figure, but as a person navigating the challenges and opportunities of an unprecedented time, and how, his story, from the uncertain days following Caesar's death to his triumph at Actium, is a tribute to the power of ambition, strategy, and vision in shaping the world.

Except, we're not following what is known. We're looking at the broader implications in the unknown, from a different perspective, and this begins with Faustus.